Inside ‘The Pitt’: A Medical Drama Shaped by Real Doctors
Overview
A unique approach to medical storytelling is showcased in “The Pitt,” a drama set in a Pittsburgh emergency room in 2025. Unlike many medical shows that often face criticism from professionals, “The Pitt” has garnered positive feedback from doctors who feel it authentically represents their realities.
Bridging the Gap
Co-executive producer Dr. Joe Sachs highlights how the series has effectively conveyed the essence of emergency medicine. He states, “For years, I’ve tried to explain to my family what I do in the emergency department, and I can never put it into words. When they watch an episode of the show, they get it and they understand.”
Collaboration with Medical Experts
Medical professionals shaped every aspect of “The Pitt.” For its inaugural season, the show employed a team of seven board-certified emergency physicians—four worked in the writing room, while three served as on-set medical advisors. This collaboration ensured all medical procedures and dialogue were authentic and accurate.
Leadership with Experience
Oversight of the show’s medical authenticity fell to Dr. Joe Sachs, who has balanced a career as a television writer with his role as a practicing emergency physician for over 30 years. His experience during the COVID-19 pandemic informed the series’ realistic portrayal of emergency medicine.
The Challenges of Modern ERs
The Boarding Crisis
Emerging from real-life challenges faced in emergency medicine, the “Boarding Crisis” became a central theme. This issue, exacerbated during the pandemic, involves patients waiting in crowded emergency rooms due to lack of hospital capacity. Dr. Sachs explains, “In a 40-bed ER, there may be 30 patients waiting for admission, which compromises care for new arrivals.”
Creating an Authentic Environment
The Set Design
In collaboration with production designer Nina Ruscio, the series created an authentic depiction of modern emergency departments. Sachs provided Ruscio with research on cutting-edge ER designs to capture a realistic and functional hospital set.
Drama with Medical Foundations
“The Pitt” prioritizes character-driven storytelling. According to Dr. Sachs, “We never start with a medical case; it stems from the dramatic needs of the characters.” The medical scenarios are carefully selected to align with character development, enhancing both narrative and educational value.
Attention to Detail: Dialogue and Procedures
Another distinctive feature of “The Pitt” is its commitment to complex medical terminology. Dr. Sachs and his team prepared detailed notes on medical jargon to ensure the show remains authentic while still engaging viewers. He remarks, “If it’s crazy technical and the audience doesn’t understand it at all, that’s fine because the emotion comes through performance.”
On-Set Medical Consultations
Throughout filming, three on-set medical consultants—Drs. Jacob Lentz, Elizabeth Ferreira, and Fred Einesman—dedicated themselves to ensuring every medical scene was accurate. Their role involved extensive preparation before filming and active participation during production.
Collaboration and Training
Cast Preparation
The actors underwent medical training boot camps to ensure they could realistically portray their characters. This included learning how to perform basic medical procedures and understanding the physicality required in emergency settings.
Casting Background Performers
Even background roles demanded a high level of realism. Background performers learned to mimic the behaviors of nurses in a busy ER, with each performance meticulously choreographed by actor Tim van Pelt to enhance authenticity.
Conclusion: A New Standard in Medical Drama
“The Pitt” sets a new benchmark for medical dramas by intertwining authentic medical insights with compelling storytelling. By employing medical professionals in various capacities, the series not only entertains but also educates its audience about the complexities of modern emergency medicine.
